The 1934 Packard Twelve Runabout Speedster is the most elegant car I've seen at the auctions so far, and in the past four days I've seen quite a few spectacular beauties. To be sold at the RM Auctions event in the Arizona Biltmore Hotel, it was the ultimate Packard of its time.

The coachwork is by LeBaron, the engine is a powerful V-12, said to be smoother and quieter than any other car. A two-seater with a boattail back, it was not very practical but with lines like that, who cares? Enormously expensive when new, it is one of just four built; all survive in private collections. It's been more than twenty years since a Packard Runabout Speedster was offered for sale, making this car a rare and delectable purchase for the new owner.

Not surprisingly the Packard was constantly surrounded by onlookers, thus your faithful reporter needed great patience before a five-second window of opportunity opened up and I could get a shot. It was worth it, don't you agree?